Building a Fire National Risk Index: Indigenous Lands Map

Julie Torres, Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network

This is a static image created in ArcGis from the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network non-profit that juxtaposes the risk of 18 natural hazards (as defined by Federal Emergency Management Agency) with the areas of state and federally recognized tribes in the USA.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

This image is best used to introduce the concepts of climate change vulnerability and the specific risk of BIPOC populations to environmental hazards. The educator may wish to spend time teaching about the history of Indigenous Peoples and the risks they face in their local area and use this map as a way to consider the current situation. It may benefit the students to also discuss how climate change and other factors are likely to influence the data shown on this map.
This map overlaps Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Risk Index with state and federally-recognized Indigenous lands. Clicking on individual counties reveals data that were used for the risk calculations, showing the science behind the map. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
Teaching with this resource will depend on teachers providing background information to students so that they understand risk, resilience, and the colonial history that led to the forced removal of native peoples from their native lands to reservations along with the continued impact of that removal. It may benefit students to discuss each of the four categories this map displays (American Indian, Alaska Native & Native Hawaiian Areas; Percent Indigenous Population by U.S. County; National Risk Index; Ecoregions). Understanding the meaning of each category will help students understand their significance when combined. There is no student or teacher guide associated with this infographic. However, there is additional detailed information about the significance of displaying both the FEMA risk with the location of state and federally recognized tribes. The map could easily serve as the basis for multiple lessons. In addition to the information presented on the map, it may be helpful for students to research the resources that their local/regional Tribes have to respond to hazards, which would help students understand why it can be challenging for Indigenous Peoples placed in hazardous areas to respond to challenges when they occur.